McGill Transition Program Philosophy

This program is aimed at providing support to young adults with ASD in three key areas---social communication, self-determination (e.g., independence) and working with others---as they transition into adulthood. Many approaches to working with people with ASD focus on a predetermined set of skills, whereas we started with the self-expressed needs of the participants. We selected 9 out of 15 modules for each 10-week small-group session based on the collective needs and interests expressed by each group. The curriculum is aimed at developing self- confidence, self-worth, and self-knowledge while also targeting areas like communication and working with others in a variety of environments. The cornerstones of our service delivery approach include offering choices, encouraging assertiveness, being rights-based, valuing individual strengths, interests, and diversity, and creating a safe place for expression. Our curriculum takes a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach where we adapted the material to include multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. Thus, we presented materials in different formats and at more and less complex levels, we included participants’ self-expressed needs and interests in our sessions, and offered different approaches for knowledge development and consolidation. We are happy to share our materials but we ask that you adhere to the philosophy underlying them when implementing the program.

Social Communication
Initiating
Listening
Making an impression
Perspective Taking
Non-Verbal Communication
Self-
Determination
Preferences, Interests, and Strengths
Problem-Solving
Self-Advocacy
Self-Regulation
Choice-Making
Working with Others
Knowing your Context
What makes Good Partners
Preventing and Resolving Conflicts
Getting the Bigger Picture
Teamwork

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Contact us

Aparna Nadig, Associate Professor
The Psychology of Pragmatics Lab
McGill School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
2001 McGill College, Suite 800
Montreal, QC H3A 1G1

Tara Flanagan, Associate Professor
Social Policy, Advocacy, Research, Community (SPARC)
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology
McGill University
3700 McTavish Street, MTL, QC, H3A 1Y2

Do you have a question or comment? You can reach us at Transition.Program.ASD@gmail.com